Initially, Rabbi Yisrael Motzen was an interim rabbi whose job was to fill in at Ner Tamid Greenspring Valley Synagogue for six months. That was 13 years ago.

Today, Motzen is the head of the congregation, and he couldn’t be happier with how the last decade-plus worked out.

“I went in without any particular intention of staying here, but I quickly fell in love with the place. There’s just a certain authenticity that permeates the entire congregation. The warmth and sense of community is a beautiful thing,” Motzen said.

He added that as a Jew, he is happy to see new shuls take form. At the same time, Motzen is confident in what Ner Tamid offers.

“Though the Orthodox community is exploding and it allows and invites new shuls, I think it’s wonderful,” he said. “To have a place where you have a real sense of diversity, a real sense of different types of people coming together, not just a particular niche … there’s something very unique about it. It’s just a beautiful model.”

Motzen helps lead a synagogue that is open to all Jews, particularly attracting those who are more observant. The shul has been growing steadily with people of different backgrounds, ages, religious practice and more. Since he joined 13 years ago, Ner Tamid has tripled in size, Motzen said.

“Clearly there’s a need and a want for people to participate in such a thing,” he said.

For Motzen, being a rabbi wasn’t always the plan, but he was raised in an environment that made work in the Jewish sphere an attractive opportunity. Both of his parents work in Jewish professional life, and he said he knew he wanted to do something similar to them.

Motzen explained what kind of example his parents set for him and what it instilled in him.

“A sense of responsibility to the Jewish people. We’re here in this world to serve, we’re here in this world not for ourselves. Whether it was Shabbat meals packed with guests or giving up our rooms or just the calls they went on, it permeated their entire life and it was meaningful,” he said. “They loved it, and it just rubbed off.”

That sense of responsibility goes beyond the walls of Ner Tamid and into the Motzen family home. The family often hosts events at their home in Baltimore, complete with spreads of food and drinks.

Motzen said he is glad his tenure has seen a tremendous amount of growth for Ner Tamid, but that growth also presents its own potential obstacles.

“I love the growth, but at the same time, a tremendous value of our shul is keeping a sense of community and a sense of closeness. As we continue to grow, this is a real challenge,” he said.

For that, Motzen said he will lean on the wonderful network of volunteers at Ner Tamid.

While Ner Tamid is an Orthodox shul, that doesn’t mean it’s limited to just worship-centric events. In October, Ner Tamid is hosting a watch party for a Baltimore Ravens game. As a Canadian, however, Motzen’s partial to the NHL.

“I’m looking forward to a hockey game,” he said.

For Motzen, a synagogue’s role as a community institution is an essential part of its operations. He referenced a story from the Torah as proof that the synagogue is more than just a place to read the Tanakh — it’s also a place to gather.

“Our sages knew what they were doing when they told us after the Temple was destroyed that we still have to get together to pray as a community. Part of it, of course, is the prayer, but the sense of community is tremendous, and that’s a part that I really think we are trying to make sure we don’t lose sight of,” Motzen said.

aguckes@midatlanticmedia.com